Organized by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center and the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KOWI)

Supported by the Simplified FP7 Model Agreement (DESCA)

Brussels, Thursday and Friday, December 8 and 9, 2011

Overview

This Seminar will consist of an intensive two-day training course in the techniques of mediation and arbitration. The Seminar will be based on discussion groups and a simulated mediation and arbitration case study in the intellectual property field. Participants will be expected to take active part in the exercises.

For many companies, universities and research entities, intellectual property has become an essential business asset as well as a means of creating value. It is being developed and exploited on an increasingly international level in various contractual relationships, such as research and development contracts, consortium agreements, licenses, manufacturing arrangements, purchase contracts, distributorships and joint ventures.

Where disputes arise in the context of such an existing contractual relationship, mediation offers a low-risk and cost-effective non-confrontational procedure for dispute resolution, which can be conducive to the maintenance or further development of the relationship.

Intellectual property rights are as strong as the means to enforce them. In that context, arbitration, as a private and confidential procedure, is increasingly being used to resolve disputes involving intellectual property rights, especially when involving parties from different jurisdictions. Intellectual property disputes have a number of particular characteristics that may be better addressed by arbitration than by court litigation.

As a consequence, parties increasingly look for dispute resolution mechanisms that match their business requirements: private procedures which provide efficient, flexible and less costly means of settling international disputes without disrupting research and commercial relationships. Model agreements, such as the DESCA model agreement (http://www.desca-fp7.eu/) also include mediation and arbitration as dispute resolution options. To fully benefit from the advantages of mediation and arbitration, parties often ensure that research and related commercial agreements are consistent in terms of outlining how disputes are to be resolved.

Faculty

Faculty for this Workshop will consist of experts in international mediation and arbitration experience, including exposure to intellectual property, research and development and technology issues.

WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center

Program

The Program will consist of ten sessions devoted to the following subjects:

Introduction, Mediation (Day 1)

Administered Mediation and Arbitration at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center

Introduction to Use of Mediation and Arbitration in R&D and Commercialization Disputes

Preparing and Commencing the Mediation

Selection and Appointment of the Mediator

Preparatory Organization of the Mediation

The Role of the Different Actors at the Mediation Meeting

The Mediation Meeting

Concluding the Mediation

Arbitration (Day 2)

International Arbitration in Context

Selection and Appointment of the Tribunal

Preparatory Organization

Interim Relief

Exchange of Memorials and Documents

Hearings and Evidence: Managing the Process

Awards

Who Should Attend

This Seminar is designed for lawyers, business executives, patent and trademark attorneys, technology transfer professionals and others wishing to familiarize themselves with the mediation and arbitration process and its application in the area of research and development and related commercial transactions.

Program Information

Venue

Timetable

Language

European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KOWI)
Rue du Trône 98
1050 Brussels
Belgium

Thursday and Friday, December 8-9, 2011

English

Registration and Fee

Participation

Registration Fee

Cancellations

How to apply

Participation in the Workshop will be limited to 25 persons

490 Euros

If registered participants are unable to attend the workshop for any reason they may substitute someone else from the same organization by arrangement with KOWI. KOWI cannot offer a refund of the registration fee.

Please send the registration form by fax or e-mail to Ms. Christina Sprenger of KOWI (see below)